Recommendation 15

The National Audit Office found a mixed picture when it reviewed the health check material against the ‘leaders role-model behaviour’ indicator which suggests senior leaders should role-model a supportive culture that gives people confidence to raise concerns.37 DWP noted that in large organisations such as itself and HMRC, the culture they set locally stems from line manager capability. DWP works with the Cabinet Office on the line manager standards across the civil service to instil the right behaviours in their senior staff. The Cabinet Office told us it is focusing on induction training and line manager training to improve line manager capability. DWP told us it believes this will help create the right environment for speaking up, where people can comfortably find the right route to raise concerns and have trust in the process.38 30 Qq 29–31 31 Q 29 32 Q 5 33 Q 94 34 Q 24 35 Q 36 36 Qq 5, 33 37 C&AG’s Report, para 3.9, 3.18 38 Q 94 12 Investigation into whistleblowing in the civil service 2 Learning and sharing insights Seeking feedback from whistleblowers